Selective signaling device for railways.



vS. R. WRIGHT. SELECTIVE SIGNALING DEVIGE FOR EAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 24. 1908.

928,570, E Patented July 20, 1909.

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ANDREW. a, GRAHAM 00. Puofo-umosmknzks. wAsnmcrogl. o. c.

S. R. WRIGHT. SELECTIVE SIGNALING DEVIOE FOR RAILWAYS. APPLICATION rum)AUG. 24', 190B.

Patented July 20, 1909.

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S. R. WRIGHT. SELECTIVE SIGNALING DEVICE FOR RAILWAYS.

Patented July 20, 1909.

APPLIGATION'FILED AUG. 24, 1908. v

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- WITNESSES:

ANDREW. s. em! 00.. PNUTO-UHIDQRAFNHIS wAsmuumN. a c- S. R. WRIGHT.SELECTIVE SIGNALING DEVICE FOR RAILWAYS. APPLICATION FILED AUG.24.,1908.

928,570. Patented July 20, 1909.

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ANDREW. a. (mum 0o phuwumoummms. WASHINGTON. u c.

pairs sr SELDEN R. WRIGHT, OF ROCHESTER; NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TELEGRAPHSIGNAL COM- PANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK,

A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SELECTIVE SIGNALING DEVICE FOR RAILWAYS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 20, 1909.

Application filed August 24, 1908. Serial 1*1'0. 150,0451.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SELDEN R. lViuoH'r, a citizen of the United States,and resident of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in SelectiveSignaling Devices for Railways, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to selective signaling devices, and consists inthe construction and combined operation of the apparatus hereindescribed and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the selector; Fig. 2is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a localinstrument; Fig. 4 is a central vertical section of the same; Fig. 5v isa top plan view; Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the Slg'llfill'- leasingmechanism, or trip; Fig. 7 is a side view of the same; and Fig. 8 is adiagram of the electrical connections of the system.

The system comprises a line wire grounded at each end, and a number ofinstruments connected therewith in series, the selector being at thecontrolling or operating station, and a local instrument being at eachline'station. The line is normally in open circuit, but when current isplaced upon it, movable contact-making devices on all the localinstruments and the selector are carried to a Zero point, and occupyidentical positions. hen the line is again opened, said movablecontact-makers travel synchronously through identical paths, and in sodoing are each carried across a stationary contact, which occupies adifferent position relatively to the sci-o point, on each local instrulit.

On the selector is a variable contact, which may be placed at will bythe operator in a position corresponding to that occupied by any one ofthe aforesaid stationary contacts on the local instruments. Therefore,with said variable cont-act placed in a given position on the selector,and the movable con tact-makers on all the instruments moving togetherthrough identical paths, it is evident that the movable contact-maker onthe selector will strike the variable contact placed thereon, at thesame instant that the contact-maker on a local instrument strikes thestationary contact of said instrument.

The latter is the instrument in which theto the position of the variablecontact placed on the selector. hen the action just de scribed occurs, acircuit is completed through a signal-operating mechanism at theselected station, and said signal is operated without affecting any ofthe other instruments or signals. Immediately upon the movement of thesignah'the line is automatically broken, and becomes dead again. Meansare also provided whereby the movement of the signal is indicated at thecontrolling station.

The selector (Fig. 1) comprises a motor 1, mounted on a wall-panel 2. Aclock mechanism is employed as a motor in the present case, and isoperated by aweighted cord 3 that is wound on a drum 4. The mechanism isgoverned by a suitable regulator, as, for instance, the pendulum 5. A.secondary shaft 6 of the motor carries on its outer end a disk 7, thatis adapted to frictionally engage a similar disk 8 on the inner end of ashaft 9 that is concentric with said shaft 6. The shaft 8 carries themovable contact-maker aforesaid, which is a hand or bar 10. It isapparent that movement is communicated from the motor to the hand 10when the clutch disks 7 and 8 are in engagement. The variable contact ofthe selector is a metal plug 11, that may be inserted in any one of aseries of holes 12 in a metal are 13. The latter is insulated from themotor 1 and the hand 10 moves parallel with and a short distance infront of it (Fig. 2). The clutch disks 7 and 8 are normally held inengagement by a pivoted bar 1d that is pulled for word by a spring 15and presses on the inner end of the shaft 6. hen the said disks areseparated (by means about to be described), the hand 10 is brought tothe zero point 16 by the action of a weight 17 hanging on a cord that iswound about a pulley 18 on the shaft 9. The means for disconnecting theclutch disks 7 and 8 is an electromagnet 19. The armature 20 of saidmagnet is carried on a stud 21 that projects from the bar 14. When themagnet is energized, the action of the spring 15 is overcome, and theclutch disks are separated by the action of a coiled spring 22 thatpresses upon the front side of the pinion on the shaft 6.

The mechanism of the local instruments (Figs. 3, 4.- and 5) is identicalwith that of the selector. All local instruments used in the system areexact duplicates. In the drawings, corresponding parts of the selectorand local instruments bear the same reference numerals, with theexception of the electromagnet which is designated 19 Therefore, nofurther description of the motor and connected parts is necessary.

The movable contact on the local instruments is a metal block 23, set inthe edge of a nonconducting disk 24: on the shaft 9. A pair of brushes25 lie in contact with the periphery of the disk 24, and are insulatedfrom each other, so that electrical connection is established betweenthem when the block 23 touches their ends.

A pin 26 is placed in the front plate of the motor and acts as a stopfor the hand 10. As the motor is normally connected to the hand 10through the clutch disks 7 and 8, the said hand is carried up againstthe pin 26 and the motor is thus compelled to stop until said clutchdisks are disengaged. The block 23 in this ends of the brushes 25.

On the upper end of the bar 14; is a piece of insulatingmaterial 27, inwhich is set a strip of metal 28. YVhen the magnet 19 is deenergized(its normal condition), the strip 28 touches the end of a brush 29 thatis fastened on a nonconducting block 30. A wire 31 leads from said brushto one of the brushes 25. The block 30 is supported on the end of studs32 that project from the panel 2. When the magnet l9 is energized, thebar 14 is carried backward as before described, and connection is brokenbetween the brush 29 and the strip 28.

The signal-operating device in the present instance is an apparatuswhich normally maintains a semaphore in the safety position, but allowsthe same to assume the danger position through the action of itscounterweight when the device receives an electrical impulse.

A rod 33 is slidably mounted in guides 3% on a wall-panel 35, and hasacable 36 at its upper end which is connected to a semaphore blade, or tomeans adapted to move said blade to safety position. A pin 37 on saidrod engages a notch 38 in a lever 39 that is pivoted at 40. The long endof said ever rests on a lug 41 that projects from the armature 42 of anelectromagnet 43, and thereby maintains the rod 33 in the position shownagainst the pull of the semaphore on the cable 36. When the latter isenergized, the armature 42 is moved and the lug ll can no longer supportthe end of the lever 39. The continuous pull on the cable 36 from thesemaphore then raises the bar 33. A pin it on the latter strikes theunder side of a pivoted arm 45 and raises it. A rod 46 is hooked into aslot in said arm, and is carried upward therewith, and releases a clockmechanism 47. A nonconducting disk 48 is rotated as the clock mechanismunwinds, and a series of notches in its periphposit-ion is just beyondthe ery cause an alternate make-and-break between two spring brushes 49.The line wire 50 is connected to the latter, and current flowing thereonis interrupted by this action. When it is desired to reset the signal,the man in. charge thereof pulls down the rod 33, and the pin 37 strikesthe lower edge of the notch 38 and tilts the lever 39 until its long endagain rests on the lug 41. The parts remain in this position until themag net 43 is again energized. In the ClOWIlward movement of the bar 33,a pin 51 thereon strikes the upper end of a pitman 52, and a crank 53 ismoved thereby and winds up the clock mechanism 47 for another operation.

In order to prevent afalse operation of any signal-operating deviceother than the selected one, the circuit through the magnet 43 is brokenas soon as the lever- 39 slips oif the lug 41. Current is conducted bythe wire 54 through the windings of the magnet, and thence through thewire 55 and the armature 42 to the lever 39, and then to the groundthrough the wire 56. The armature 4 moving away from the lever 39 thuscauses a break.

In order to prevent an are at the lug 41, which would after a timerender it incapable of supporting the lever 39, a spring 57 is provided,which follows up the said lever a slight distance after it leaves thelug 41, and any arc which occurs at the end of said spring can do noharm.

The line wire 50 (Fig. 3) is grounded at each end X and extends throughthe battery Y and an indicating device 0 to the middle pole of adouble-throw switch S. From one pole of said switch the wire 58 extendsto the motor of the selector A and continues from the are 13 thereof.The wire 59 leads from the opposite pole through the magnet 19 and joinsthe line 50 beyond said magnet. The line 50 then extends in seriesthrough the brushes 4.9 on the signal-operating device and the magnets19 on the local instruments B and C to the ground X at the opposite end.At each local instrument B and C, a wire 60 connects the line 50 withone of the brushes 25, and a wire 5% leads from the strip 23 to themagnet 43 on the signal-operating devices D and E, respectively, thatcontrol the semaphores F and G. The latter are grounded through thewires 56. As hereinbefore stated, the line is normally open, and themotors on all the instruments have been stopped by the hands 10 strikingthe pins 26.

lVhen the operator wishes to release a signal at a certain station, sayB, he throws the switch S to cut in the wire 59, and then places theplug 11 in the proper position on the are 13. This movement of theswitch closes the line circuit, and current flows through it andenergizes all the magnets 19 and the selector magnet 19. This causes allthe clutch disks to disengage, and the hands 10 all drop back to zero,where they remain as long as the switch S is closed. The motorsimmediately begin to move. The operator next throws the switch S to theopposite side, and the line is then opened, for the circuit is notcompleted through the selector until the hand 10 thereon touches theplug 11. Therefore, the clutch disks are all engaged simultaneously, andthe disks 24L begin a synchronous rotation. As soon as the hand 10 onthe selector touches the plug 11, current flows therethrough and throughall the magnets 19 on the line up to the selected station B, in whichstation the movable contactmaker 23 at that instant occupies the sameposition as the plug 11. Then the current, instead of passing on throughthe line, takes an easier path, and travels through the wire 60, thebrushes 25 (which are at that instant connected by the said movablecontactmaker 23), and into the wire 31, thence through the brush 29 andstrip 28 (which are in contact because the magnet 19 on that instrumentis not energized), and through the wires 54, 55 and 56 to the ground asbefore described, operating the magnet as and releasing the selectedsignal. All the line beyond the selected local instrument B, includingthe magnet 19 of said instrument, is thus cut out. The current havingpassed through all the magnets 19 between the selected instrument B andthe selector A, said magnets are energized and the hands on thoseinstruments drop back to zero. No operation of the other signals canoccur, however, as said hands return, because the brushes 29 and strips28, through which current must pass to reach the magnets &3, areseparated because of the energization of the magnets 19 The ground wire56 at the selected signal is broken as soon as itis made, as beforedescribed, and then the current takes the path through the remainingportion of the line to the ground at X, passing through all the othermagnets 19*, including the one on the selected instrument. The hands 10on all the other instruments drop back to Zero again, where they remainuntil the line is again broken at the switch S. Then said hands moveupward again to their stops 26. The hand 10 on the selector remainsagainst the plug 11 until the switch S is thrown into connection withthe wire 59, because in the signaling operation no current flows throughthemagnet 19.

Vi hat I claim is 1. In an electric selecting apparatus for railwaysemaphores, a conductor, a master selector comprising automaticselecting means for eitecting current change in said conductor on theexpiration of any selected one of a plurality of predetermined timeintervals, and manual means for efiecting a current change in saidconductor; a series of local selectors each having a controllingelectromagnet in said conductor, an indicator controller in saidconductor between said electromagnet and the master selector, a motorhaving a predetermined-rate of movement, a ground connection extendingfrom between said electromagnet and said indicator controller, a circuitcloser in said ground connection operated by said motor after apredetermined time interval difierent at each local selector from thatof any other local selector, means for controlling the motor action bysaid electromagnet, a circuit breaker in said ground. connectioncontrolled by said electromagnet, a translating device controlled bysaid circuit closer and by said circuit breaker; and a semaphorecontrolled by said translating device.

2. In an electric selecting apparatus for railway semaphores, aconductor, a master selector comprising automatic selecting means forefiecting a current change in said conductor on the expiration of anyselected one of a plurality of predetermined time intervals, and manualmeans for eiiecting a current change in said conductor; a series oflocal selectors each having a controlling electromagnet in saidconductor, an indicator controller in said conductor between saidelectromagnet and the master selector, a motor having a predeterminedrate of movement, a ground connection extending from between saidelectromagnet and said indicator controller, a circuit closer in saidground connection operated by said motor after a predetermined timeinterval different at each local selector from that of any otherselector, a clutch mechanism operated by said electromagnet forconnecting and disconnecting the motor and the circuit closer,

' a circuit breaker in said ground connection operated with said clutch,a translating device controlled by said circuit closer and by saidcircuit breaker; and a semaphore controlled by said translating device.I

3. in an electric selecting apparatus, the combination of a conductor, amaster selector comprising automatic selecting means for effecting acurrent change in said conductor on the expiration of any selected oneof a plurality of predetern'iined time intervals, and manual means foreffecting a current change in saidconductor; a series of local selectorseach having a controlling electromagnet in said conductor, an indicatorcontroller in said conductor between said electromagnet and the .masterselector, a motor having a predetermined rate of move ment, a groundconnection extending from between said clectroi'nagnet and saidindicator controller, a circuit closer in said ground connectionoperated by said motor after a predetermined time interval different at.each local selector from that of any other local selector, means forcontrolling the motor action by said electromagnet, a circuit breaker insaid ground connection controlled by said electromagnet, and a translating device controlled by said circuit closer and by said circuitbreaker.

4:. In an electric selecting apparatus, the combination of a conductor,a master selector comprising automatic selecting means for efi ecting acurrent change in said conductor on the expiration of any selected oneof a plurality of predetermined time intervals, and manual means forefiecting a current change in said conductor; a series of localselectors each having a controlling clectromagnet in said conductor, aninclicator controller in said conductor between said electromagnet andthe master selector, a motor having a predetermined rate of movement, aground connection extending from between said electromagnet and saidindicator controller, a circuit closer in said ground connectionoperated by said motor after a predetermined time interval different ateach local selector from that of any other local selector, a clutchmechanism operated by said electromagnet for connecting anddisconnecting the motor and the circuit closer, a circuit breaker insaid ground connection operated with said clutch, and a translatingdevice controlled by said circuit closer and by said circuit breaker.

5. In an electric selecting apparatus, the combination of a conductor, amaster selector comprising automatic selecting means for effecting acurrent change in said conductor on the expiration of any selected oneof a plurality of predetermined time intervals, and manual means foreifecting a current change in said conductor; a series of localselectors each having a controlling electromagnet in said conductor, anindicator controller in said conductor between said electromagnet andthe master selector, a motor having a predetermined Me of movement, aground connection extending from between said electromagnet and saidindicator controller, a circuit closer in said ground connectionoperated by said motor after a predetermined time interval difierent ateach local selector from that of any other local selector, means forcontrolling the motor action by said electromagnet, a circuit breaker insaid ground connection controlled by said electromagnet, a translatingdevice controlled by said circuit closer and by said circuit breaker,and means for restoring the circuit closer to a zero position whenreleased from the motor, the said circuit breaker being constructed andactuated by said electro magnet to break the ground circuit while thecircuit closers are returning to zero.

6. In an electric selecting apparatus, the combination of a conductor, amaster selector comprising automatic selecting means for efitecting acurrent change in said conductor on the expiration of any selected oneof a plurality of predetermined time intervals, and manual means foreii'ecting a current change in said conductor; a series of localselectors eaclrhaving a controlling electromagnet in said conductor,'anindicator controller in said conductor between said electromagnet andthe master selector, a motor having a predetermined rate of movement, aground connection extending from between said electromagnet and saidindicator con troller, a circuit closer in said ground connectionoperated by said motor after a predetermined time interval differentateach local selector from that of any other local selector, a clutchmechanism operated by said electromagnet for connecting anddisconnecting the motor, and the circuit closer, a circuit breaker insaid ground connection operated with said clutch, a translating devicecontrolled by said circuit closer and by said circuit breaker, and meansfor restoring the circuit closer to a Zero position when released fromthe motor, the said circuit breaker being constructed and actuated bysaid electromagnet to break the ground circuit while the circuit closersare returning to Zero.

7. In an electric selecting apparatus, the combination of a conductor, amaster selector comprising automatic selecting means for effecting acurrent change in said conductor on the expiration of any selected oneof a plurality of predetermined time intervals, and manual means foreffecting a current change in said conductor; a series of localselectors each having a controlling electromagnet in said conductor, anindicator controller in said conductor between said electromagnet andthe master selector, a motor having a predetermined rate of movement, av

ground connection extending from between said electromagnct and saidindicator controller, a circuit closer in said ground connectionoperated by said motor after a predetermined time interval dilferent ateach local selector from that of any other local selector, means forcontrolling the motor action by said electromagnet, a circuit breaker insaid ground connection controlled by said electromagnet, a translatingdevice controlled by said circuit closer and by said circuit breaker,means for operating the indicator controller after action of thetranslating device;- and an indicator at the master selector operatedresponsively to said indicator controller.

8. In an electric selecting apparatus, the combination of a conductor, amaster selector comprising automatic selecting means for eftecting acurrent change in said conductor on the expiration of any selected oneof a plurality of predetermined time intervals, and manual means foreffecting a current change in said conductor; a series of localselectors each having a controlling electromagnet in said conductor, anindicator con troller in said conductor between said electromagnet andthe master selector, a motor having a predetermined rate of movement, aground connection extending from between said electroin'agnet and saidindicator controller, a circuit closer in said ground connectionoperated by said motor after a pre determined time interval different ateach local selector from that of any other local selector, a clutchmechanism operated by said electromagnet for connecting anddisconnecting the motor and the circuit closer, a circuit breaker insaid ground connection operated with said clutch, a translating devicecontrolled by said circuit closer and by said circuit breaker, means foroperating the indicator controller after action of the translatingdevice; and an indicator at the master selector operated responsively tosaid indicator controller.

9. In an electric selecting apparatus, the combination of a conductor, amaster selector comprising automatic selecting means for effecting acurrent change in said conductor on the expiration of any selected oneof a plurality of predetermined time intervals, and manual means foreffecting a current change in said conductor; a series of localselectors each having a controlling electromagnet in said conductor,an'indicator controller in said conductor between said electromagnet andthe master selector, a motor having a predetermined rate of movement, aground connection extending from between said electromagnet and saidindicator controller, a circuit closer in said ground con nectionoperated by said motor after a predetermined time interval dififerentateach local selector from that of any other local selector, means forcontrolling the motor action by said electromagnet, a circuit breaker insaid ground connection controlled by said electromagnet, a translatingdevice controlled by said circuit closer and by said circuit breaker,and means for breaking the ground connection upon operation of saidtranslating device.

10. In an electric selecting apparatus, the combination of a conductor,a master selector comprising automatic selecting means for effecting acurrent change in said conductor on the expiration of any selected oneof a plurality of predetermined time intervals, and manual means foreffecting a current change in said conductor; a series of localselectors each having a controlling electroniagnet in said conductor, anindicator controller in said conductor between said electromagnet andthe master selector, a motor having a predetermined rate of movement, aground connection extending from between said electromagnet and saidindicator controller, a circuit closer in said ground connectionoperated by said motor after a predetermined time interval different ateach local selector from that of any other local selector, aclutchmechanism operated by said electromagnet for connecting anddisconnecting the motor and the circuit closer, a circuit breaker insaid ground connection operated with said clutch, a translating devicecontrolled by said circuit closer and by said circuit breaker, and meansfor breaking the ground connection upon operation of said translatingdevice.

SELDEN R. WRIGHT. Witnesses D. GURNEE, G. W.- CARROLL.

